Question for European Sisters and Brothers

[Dustparticle]

  Yes, I part Irish, French, German, and Native American. What I'm seeing on my European side is that My family in the past kept their family records for hundreds of years. I can go back to 1600's on my Iriish side. And possibility 700's on my German side.

 

 Is it common for families in Europe to kept their family records that far back?

[GrumpysWife]

If you are using Ancestry to map out your family, they have been in trouble for manufacturing long lost relatives. I did mine for a while and I finally came to the conclusion that not everyone on the list was really a relative. Some of them were just too smart to be in my family.

[Daniela]

  Yes, I part Irish, French, German, and Native American. What I'm seeing on my European side is that My family in the past kept their family records for hundreds of years. I can go back to 1600's on my Iriish side. And possibility 700's on my German side.

 

 Is it common for families in Europe to kept their family records that far back?

 

No, not really. Only those of noble ancestry.

 

[jayrtom]

I think only Mormons worry about making a precise genealogy tree as far back as they can... Don't know why, though...

[PottersClay]

I have Dutch friends and they are very particular about their ancestry. They often encourage me to get into my ancestry, though I have no interest in it personally.

[Dustparticle]

If you are using Ancestry to map out your family, they have been in trouble for manufacturing long lost relatives. I did mine for a while and I finally came to the conclusion that not everyone on the list was really a relative. Some of them were just too smart to be in my family.

 

 You are right, there are problems with that site. Because I have noticed that my GG grandmother brother died in 1917 and on his tombstone, yet several have him died in 1940. Also, I have another relative do not want to admit that she is part Native American and fails to put her GG grandmother (who is half Native American and looks like one) portrait. of her family tree.  Bunch of weird people on there.

Edited July 4, 2013 by dustparticle

[Dustparticle]

I think only Mormons worry about making a precise genealogy tree as far back as they can... Don't know why, though...

 

 Tracing one family background is like a puzzle. It just put pieces together.

[PottersClay]

I think only Mormons worry about making a precise genealogy tree as far back as they can... Don't know why, though...

I always thought Mormon genealogy had to do with their practice of baptising the dead. Dont quote me on that though.

[GrumpysWife]

I always thought Mormon genealogy had to do with their practice of baptising the dead. Dont quote me on that though.

I have heard that also, don't know if it's true or not.

[Grummit]

Searching one's family history can be a fascinating hobby if you have the time and inclination. 

 

In the U K I have found it not too difficult to trace back to 1837 when registration of births, marriages and deaths became necessary, but prior to that you are relying on Parish Records from local churches and people's copied transcripts of them, which can be unreliable. The web sites are incomplete the further back you go. 

 

The O/P asked if families are aware of their heritage ? I would say, not usually .

 

The Mormon LDS Church is a goldmine of information and they have local Family History centres where you can view by order microfilmed Church Records. As far as I understand it is connected with their belief that only baptism can save an individual, so they "baptise" names by proxy to give them an opportunity in the hereafter. Do not ask me to explain it, I don't get it either.